Chapter Fifty: Calamity or Blessing

  That night,

  Li accepted their gift and stayed behind to chat with Zhou's wife.

  Shen Muqing knew they were going to discuss marriage matters, so she took the opportunity to excuse herself and went to the Jiuxi study.

  Shen Zhen had just returned home, his face full of fatigue. Seeing his daughter arrive, he couldn't help but muster up some energy.

  Shen Muqing then suggested to him, "I've already promised my pearl to Bai Mu. When the time comes, he'll definitely come to pay his respects to you. I think it's better if you set a wedding date for them."

  Shen Zhen quickly understood: "You mean, set the date on November 24th, the birthday of King Wang and Queen Wang of Zhen'an."

  Shen Mu nodded slightly: "Although Zhen and Bai are both servants, after all, it's a happy event for the family. At that time, you can try to persuade her again, maybe Madam will change her mind."

  Shen Zhen thought for a moment and felt that this was feasible: "I originally planned to let Liu Daren use his wife's illness as an excuse, letting her stay at home for a few days to recuperate. Now it seems that your idea is even better."

  Shen Mu Qing listened and let out a sigh of relief.

  Shen Zhen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness: "If your fourth brother were still alive, he would probably be married with children by now... Speaking of which, Madam has always been good at teaching her children, and they are all well-behaved, filial, and clever..." As she spoke, tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes.

  After all, they are a couple, and today both of them thought of that child who was not much older than Bai Mu but had passed away early.

  Shen Zhen lost his father in his youth, and his son in middle age. Now the Li family... Shen Muqing listened, and tears flowed down uncontrollably.

  Shen Zhen saw Shen Muqing follow him with a sad expression, touched her head and forced out an unnatural smile: "Zhu Ji is married, are there still enough people in your house?"

  Shen Muqing's heart was heavy and she also hoped that Shen Jian would not mention similar things again. Now that Shen Jian had actively changed the subject, she naturally cooperated with him.

  "It's enough!" Shen Muqing and Shen Zhen chatted, "Madam bought six little maids for me a few days ago. One of them is called Xianglian, with the same name as the big maid in Auntie's house, so I gave her to Auntie. The other five are all in my house! Adding to the original Luomei and others, there are people everywhere, sometimes it's even too noisy."

  Shen Zhen had never chatted with his children before, so he was a bit at a loss for words. He dryly said "That's good! That's good" twice, and then fell silent.

  Shen Muqing had no choice but to continue playing the role of a nagging wife: "Zhu Ji has always been in charge of the keys to my house, and now she's married to Bai Mu. My house has never had a mother-in-law who takes care of things, so I thought that after Zhu Ji got married, she could be the mother-in-law who takes care of things for me. I told my wife about this, and she laughed uncontrollably, saying 'Who has such a young mother-in-law?'"

  Mrs. Shen smiled and said, "You're right, Madam. It's better for the housekeeper to be a bit older."

  As they talked, their conversation gradually increased, and the atmosphere became warm and harmonious, with a somewhat chat-like appearance.

  Shen Muqing saw that the atmosphere was good, and gradually shifted the topic to Du Gugu, recounting what she and Liang Youhui had done: "......Now I'm at Liang Youhui's brother-in-law's place, but I feel like I'm holding a hot potato, always feeling inappropriate!"

  Shen Zhen listened intently, his eyebrows furrowing, and his expression becoming more solemn.

  Shen Muqing thought Shen Zhen would scold her severely or rebuke her, but unexpectedly Shen Zhen said: "Although you acted a bit rashly, it's not unbecoming of a daughter. Feeling that things are not right and being able to consult with elders in time, your ability to handle crises is also good. Hearing what you have to say, this matter indeed has some suspicious aspects... I think we should do it like this: for now, don't tell Du Niangniang, wait until I go to the palace to take a look and then we'll make plans."

  It wasn't as rough as Shen Muqing had imagined, and he felt a bit relieved, feeling closer to Shen Zhen again. The words from the bottom of his heart were spoken fluently: "Then you have to hurry up. The more days she stays in our hands, the more worried I am."

  Shen Zhen burst out laughing and rubbed her hair: "Now you know what it's like to be scared!"

  Serene and calm with a gentle smile.

  Shen Zhen saw her in front of him with a little girl's attitude, and his heart was also warm and excited.

  "Let's go, we'll go to Madam's place - Zhou Bingjia is sure to be there discussing the wedding with her. Why wait for Bai Mu to come and kowtow to me? Let's set a date now and avoid any more sleepless nights."

  Shen Muqing saw that Shen Zhen not only adopted her suggestions but also acted swiftly and decisively, giving her a sense of being valued by her superiors back in the company. Her spirits lifted, she smiled and nodded, then followed Shen Zhen to Li's place.

  At a distance of about 20 feet from the Li's gate, Shen Muqing suddenly caught sight of what seemed to be a dark shadow behind that big tree with a trunk as thick as two men could reach around.

  At this time, the inner courtyard had already fallen silent, how could there be someone hiding there.

  Her heart skipped a beat as she tightly grasped Shen Zhen's sleeve and exclaimed, pointing at the black mass: "What is that?"

  The people in front carrying lanterns, Shui Xiang and Mu Xiang, immediately surrounded them as soon as they heard the news. Shen Zhen also tightly grasped his daughter's hand.

  That black shadow stumbled out from behind the tree: "It's me! It's me!"

  The fragrance of water and wood lifted the lanterns, and Shen Mu Qing saw a childish little face.

  "Chen Xiang, what are you doing here?"

  Shen Zhen was secretly surprised, but he calmly sized up Shen Muqing and Chen Xiang.

  Chen Xiang saw Shen Zhen standing beside Shen Muqing and his legs trembled as he knelt down: "I, I, I..."

  I struggled for half a day and still couldn't say a word.

  "Shui Xiang, Mu Xiang, take a look around and see if there's anyone else?" Shen Zhen's voice was low and calm as water, but in this quiet night, it sounded gloomy and cold.

  Shen Muqing knew that Shen Zhen had gotten angry, and thought to himself that at this time, all the doors in the inner courtyard of the Shen household except for the one leading to Li's place were locked. If he was punished for peeking, it wouldn't be unjust. He quietly retreated behind Shen Zhen.

  Chen Xiang was able to serve in the Jiuxi Zhai, naturally a clever person, and also had some understanding of Shen Zhen. He understood Shen Zhen's emotions just by listening to his tone. So as soon as Shen Zhen's words fell, he immediately crawled over to Shen Muqing on his knees: "Young lady, young lady, I've come to report to you."

  Shen Mu Qing's face was full of shock: "Give me news? What news?"

  As soon as her voice fell, Shen Zhen had already kicked Xun Xiang's chest with his foot: "You dog, dare to talk nonsense, you will be beaten to death."

  Chen Xiang let out a cry of "Ah" and clutched at his chest before falling to the ground.

  Shui Xiang and Mu Xiang listened to the commotion on this side, but they didn't lift their eyes or turn their heads, only focusing on holding up lanterns to search for people everywhere.

  Shen Muqing didn't expect Shen Zhen's reaction to be so big, she was afraid that Shen Zhen would kick Xingxiang to death in his rage, and also afraid that Shen Zhen would suspect her of having an affair with Xingxiang. After a moment's thought, she simply walked over and helped Xingxiang up: "What's going on here?"

  Chen Xiang also knew that if he didn't answer well today, he might not be able to pass this hurdle. Therefore, he hastily said: "Miss, it was Bai Mu who asked me to come and deliver a message to you."

  Shen Zhen's heart was already racing with a thousand thoughts as he hastily walked over and squatted down beside Xiang Xiang: "What happened?"

  Chen Xiang softly groaned and then said: "Just say one sentence, let me tell the young lady, Zhou Zongguan plans to return to the villa after his wedding."

  Shen Muqing immediately understood.

  It must be that Zhenzhu has already conveyed her intentions to Baomu, and Baomu helped ask Zhou about the time of his return to the mansion. Unfortunately, the message couldn't get through, and fearing delay, she had only sent Xiang, a mere child servant, to report back.

  Shen Zhen shouted at Shui Xiang and Mu Xiang: "You two stay here and guard this place." Then he called Shen Muqing: "You come with me."

  Shen Mu's calm heart was filled with anxiety as he followed Shen Jian to a side house beside the second gate.

  It's cold outside, two night-watch women are sitting beside the brazier, chatting and laughing, the whole room is filled with the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes.

  Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Shen enter, the two women were so frightened that they fell to the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "Master, spare our lives! Master, spare our lives! We will never dare again!"

  Shen Mu Qing took a look and saw that there were still two pots of wine simmering beside the fire basin.

  Shen Zhen didn't have the mood to care about these things, and with a gloomy face said: "Get out of here!"

  The two old women immediately scrambled out in a flurry upon hearing this.

  Shen Zhen sat down beside the brazier on a small stool, his eyes fixed intently on Shen Muqing like an eagle, and said in a deep voice, "What's going on here?"

  Shen Mu Qing didn't dare to hesitate for a moment, and told Shen Zhen about Li's arrangement for Jin Xiu: "...Since it was decided that Zhou would take her back to the estate, I found Bai Mu to give Zhou a message, telling him not to return to the estate so soon, and if possible, to drag things out for a while. That way, I can find a suitable person to marry Jin Xiu."

  Shen Zhen's expression was even more gloomy: "Family matters are managed by the mistress, naturally it is up to the mistress to decide. How can you take matters into your own hands and get the steward of the outer courtyard to help you with things... You've been following the mistress for so many years, if you haven't learned anything else, you've at least learned these cunning tricks!" By the end, his tone was severe.

  She looked at Shen Zhen calmly and quietly, without any intention of evading the issue, and said lightly: "If I can't even protect the people around me, why should others sacrifice themselves for me."

  Shen Zhen was furious: "Is this house a den of dragons and tigers? Do you want people to sacrifice their lives for you?"

  He stood there with his back straightened up, his expression cold and distant, without answering.

  For a time, the room was quiet, with only the crackling sound of charcoal burning in the brazier being audible.

  Shen Zhen gazed at his daughter in front of him, who was confident and calm but had a hint of loneliness on her face. Suddenly, he felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if the sky was spinning and the earth was turning upside down.

  When did the daughter feel that this home was no longer making her feel safe, and she needed to use her own strength to protect her future and career... Was it when she took a concubine or when she gave birth to a child... If even young daughters have such worries and fears, what about their mothers, are they also living in anxiety?

  He was startled by this sudden thought.

  Those faces that he had deeply buried in his heart suddenly appeared before his eyes... lively and lovely Jin Ge, mature and youthful Qiu Ge, and also Gui Jie who painfully took her last breath in his arms...

  He slumped down on the small stool, covering his face with both hands and burying his head in his knees.

  Shen Zhen's reaction gave Shen Muqing a big fright. Considering his age, Shen Muqing hastily ran over and knelt beside him: "Old master, what's wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

  Shen Zhen maintained that posture, without any reaction.

  Shen Mu's face suddenly turned pale, and considering Shen Jian's age, what if it was a cerebral hemorrhage... So he didn't dare move him, while holding his wrist to take his pulse, he loudly called out for Shui Xiang and Mu Xiang.

  (The first day on the shelves, I don't know if anyone has seen it... drawing circles with my head down... but there will still be updates!)